She Leads the Way

This is a confronting episode talking about a very important topic of PTSD across Child Abuse and Domestic Violence and therefore we place a trigger warning for those who may feel more sensitive to this line of conversation.   In this episode we speak with HH Al Sayyida Basma Al Said, a mental health expert specializing in PTSD. Sayyida Basma shares a bit about her life, reflecting on her time in...

In this episode, Nicki Bedford interviews Amna Al Qubaisi, the first female Emirati driver currently racing in the Formula One Academy. This is a great conversation where Amna shares her journey into motorsports, ignited by her father’s racing career, which started in karting to competing in Formula 4 and Formula 3. We cover a lot of ground including the physical and mental toughness, balancing tr...

In this episode, we are joined by Faranak Farahmand Pour, Google’s Director of Global Strategic Initiatives. We cover a lot - talking with Faranak about her career shift from Law to Sales, her multicultural upbringing in Iran and the Netherlands, and her extensive international work experience in regions like China, Africa and the Middle East. Talking all things Google - including AI and cloud com...

In this episode, Nicki sits down Farah Danish, an autism family coach who shares her personal journey with autism, growing up with a sibling on the spectrum and later having her own child with autism.  She discusses the emotional challenges faced by families, including the initial trauma of the diagnosis and the pressures of early intervention.   This is a really great discussion, and we cover a l...

In this episode, we are joined by Salama Mohamed, an entrepreneur, content creator with almost 2M followers, mother and founder of the skincare brand Peacefull. Salama shares her journey of building her business, Peacefull, which focuses on skincare for sensitive skin, driven by her own 'blessings' with conditions like Vitiligo. She also talks openly about her experience with ADHD and Dyslexia. Sa...

In this episode, Nicki sits down with Christiana Maxion, founder of Maxion, to chat through all things finding love and launching a matchmaking agency. Christiana discusses her diverse journey to success in Dubai as well as how Maxion evolved from an offline matchmaking agency to a tech-driven platform. We also chat through the challenges of creating a new business and the requirement of unwaverin...

In this episode, we are joined by Andrea Prazakova - SVP at Mastercard leading Foundry and ESG. We discuss the future of banking in the digital age, including the rise of emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and Web3 and the opportunities these innovations opens up for women in fintech. Andrea also discusses Mastercard's sustainability initiatives, including its commitment to achieving net z...

In this episode, we are joined by Natalie Abumrad, Head of HR at Sanofi and we discuss how to stand out in today's competitive job market. If you're looking to find a new job, or make a career change - this is the episode for you! We discuss; - What skills are most sought after and how candidates can develop or showcase these skills, including the importance of soft skills (great communication + e...

We are joined by Nayla Al Khaja, UAE's first female film-maker and discuss her incredible life of filmmaking, driven by her desire to challenge stereotypes about Arab women. Nayla shares her passion for storytelling and the importance of portraying women from her culture in a different light. We also talk about her experiences in the film industry, including directing  including everything from he...

In this episode, Nicki sits down with Marketing Communications and Automotive executive Cristina Guida La Licata. Cristina shares her very recent journey of life transformation, transitioning from the corporate world, embracing mental health practices, and finding self-love, culminating in the launch of her book, "On a Journey Within Me, Within You." The episode really speaks to highlights the imp...

This episode includes; - Menna's journey including her career transition from Biomedical Science to communications. - The significance of mentorship and sponsorship, particulalry for career development for women. We also discuss strategies to secure a mentor / sponsor who actively opens doors within the organisation to help with career progression.  - Adapting to changing media landscapes and the...

This episode covers: Mental Health / Wellbeing Journey: Joyce discusses the vital role of mental health, sharing her personal experiences from architecture school to mountain expeditions. Through travel and therapy, she gained valuable insights, recognizing the underlying desire to overcome inner pain rather than life itself. Resilience: From a challenging upbringing in Lebanon to triumphing over...

This episode coves; Galaxy 360A Women's Playground as a Revolutionary Concept: Anna Fishbeyn discusses her film, Galaxy 360A Women's Playground, set in the future where women rule the world. The film challenges traditional gender roles, and its success is evident from the positive reception at the premiere.  Turning Near Death Experience into Empowerment Anna shares a profound personal experience...

This episode covers; The Power of AI in Dream Analysis  Wakefully utilizes advanced AI technology to offer personalized, contextualized, and actionable dream analysis. By asking specific questions about dream symbols and linking them to users' real-life contexts, the app provides insights that go beyond generic interpretations, distinguishing it from conventional methods like searching on Google o...

This episode covers; Adapting to Crypto Industry Shifts: Victoria highlights the dynamic nature of the tech and cryptocurrency industry. She discusses the challenges faced during the bear market, emphasizing the need for adaptability and strategic planning.  Thriving in the Tech Realm: Victoria spills the beans on her ascent in the male-dominated tech world, going from outnumbered in classrooms to...

This episode includes; Dive In and Embrace the Unknown: Olya encourages entrepreneurs to just dive into their business endeavors and not get bogged down by overthinking. She's all about taking risks and navigating the unknown because, let's face it, we learn best by doing. So, don't be afraid to make that leap; you might just find the most innovative solutions on the way. Flip the Script on Negati...

In this episode, we cover: The Power of Failure and Resilience: Victoria's journey from pursuing a traditional career path to navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, including a significant setback in the film industry, highlights the power of failure. Bridging the Gap in Financial Literacy: The creation of The Startup Station reflects a commitment to addressing a critical need in the start...

This episode covers; Embracing Change and Transition: Nicki discusses her journey through significant life changes, including relocating to Dubai, leaving her corporate job, and ending her marriage. She emphasizes the importance of trusting one's intuition and taking bold steps to align with one's true purpose, even when it goes against the expected path. Nicki's broader career background and what...

The episode covers; The importance of creating support networks for women in business: Tamara's journey began with hosting dinners for women business owners and evolved into the creation of Women in Business Arabia, a network with over 45,000 members. This experience highlights the demand and the positive impact of such networks for women entrepreneurs, offering a space for sharing experiences, ch...

This episode covers; Unconscious Pursuit of Safety and Achievement: Many people unconsciously seek safety and achievement early in life, driven by financial security and societal pressures. However, as they reflect on their desires, they may discover a deeper search for meaning and fulfillment beyond traditional success.   Transition to Embracing Feminine Energy: The transition from a focus on mas...

This episode includes:  Empowering Entrepreneurial Success Erika emphasizes the importance of hiring skilled individuals who excel in their respective roles and delegating responsibilities effectively. This approach allows entrepreneurs to focus on the bigger picture and empower their teams to drive the business forward. It's a reminder that trust in your team is key to entrepreneurial success. Th...

In this episode, we cover: Follow Your Passion : Sawsan Saad's journey highlights the importance of pursuing your own dreams and passions rather than conforming to the expectations of others, even if they are your family. She started her career in a field she didn't love to fulfill her family's expectations, but eventually, she realized the significance of following her true passion for media and...

This episode covers; Lara's Career Journey and Insights: including taking a look into Lara's background, how she moved into communications and highlighting her experiences and challenges.  Role and Responsibilities at MG Motors: Which provides listeners with a glimpse into the dynamic world of automotive communications, as well as strategies to achieve successful campaign outcomes. Navigating a Ma...

This episode covers; The Networking Mindset: Which includes focusing on the crucial role of mindset in networking success ie both deliberate and opportunistic networking, as well as adopting a genuine and giving mindset. How Networking has helped me including examples: I share real life examples of how creating a solid networking, and integratig networking as a way of life has helped me, including...

This episode includes: Charul's journey - Charul guides us through her life / career journey, beginning in a small Indian town and culminating in her achievements, including winning the 'Mrs UAE International' Pageant, becoming a serial entrepreneur through the founding of Mātiti Group, authoring published works, and her extensive travels to 40 countries and counting, sharing all the details in be...